Antique Swedish Chest of Drawers & Commodes
We specialise in antique biedermeier chiffoniers in stunning honey colour golden birch french polish finishes, chests of drawers and gustavian country drawers.
See our Gustavian Drawers Here
Our antique Swedish Gustavian and Rococo drawers and commodes tend to have an original or later painted finish with scalloped legs and often reeded detailing on the sides and panels. Very occasionally you also find the drawers with marble or faux marble tops hand painted on wood. Our Antique Biedermeier drawers and chiffoniers usually have a golden birch polished finish with inlaid marquetry.
See our Gustavian Drawers Here
See our Gustavian Drawers Here
or biedermeier
What styles of Swedish antique chest of drawers exist
Depending on the period you prefer , you can choose chest of drawers and commodes from across Swedish history
1750-1790 – baroque and rococo
1770-1810 – Period Gustavian ( with later revivals in later 1800s and throughout the 1900s)
1810-1840 Empire/ early Biedermeier
1820 -1850 – Biedermeier ( or Karl Johan as it is known in Sweden) followed by later Biedermeier
1890-1910 – Arts and Crafts / National Romantic
Early 1900s – Art Nouveau (Jugend)
1915-1930 – SWedish Grace /Nordic classical
1920s-40s – Art Deco
1930-50 – Functionalism / Funkis
1945-1970 – mid century Scandinavian Modern
Each period has different finishes and decorative ideas but the frames are generally made from birch and pine so that doesnt change until the teak of the 1960s
Can you tell me about Gustavian & Biedermeier commodes and drawers
Here’s a short guide to Gustavian & Biedermeier drawers and commodes
Antique Swedish chests of drawers come in several recognised styles, most commonly Gustavian and Biedermeier.
Gustavian chests date mainly from the late 18th and early 19th centuries and are known for their elegant but restrained design, often with painted finishes in soft greys, creams, or muted blues.
Biedermeier chests are usually from the early to mid-19th century and feature warm birch or birch-veneered surfaces with a golden tone and a more refined, furniture-maker finish.
Both styles were designed to be practical household storage while still reflecting high craftsmanship and proportion.
Colour
Soft grey, stone, pale blue, cream, or off-white
Almost always painted, not varnished
Paint often shows natural wear
French polished show wood veneers for Biedermeier commodes and drawers
Shape
Clean, straight lines
Rectangular and well-proportioned
No heavy curves or bulges
Legs
Tapered legs (slimmer at the bottom)
Often fluted with vertical grooves or pyramid for Gustavian or straighter for Biedermeier
Decoration
Carved rosettes
Fine moulding around drawers
Sometimes laurel wreaths or beading
For Biedermeier its all about the bookmatched veneer wood grain in Flame or quilt golden birch, cherrywood, mahogany, walnut and similar
Drawers
3 drawers (very classic)
4 drawers (slightly taller)
Occasionally 2 over 2 (two small drawers above two larger ones)
Flat front or brake-front design
Sizing
Width: ~75–110 cm
Height: ~75–100 cm
Depth: ~40–60 cm
Some pieces, especially taller commodes or chiffoniers, can reach up to 140–150 cm tall
What are Gustavian & Biedermeier chest of drawers & commodes made of
Gustavian chests of drawers usually feature a birch or pine construction with hand cut dovetails.
Birch and pine were freely available as local woods in sweden
Carved details are usually glued or pinned in place and scooped details are hand cut.
Sometimes they feature brass detailing on the feet and escutcheons where there are keyholes
Biedermeier Drawers have hand cut and applied show wood veneers in a french polish finish
What makes Swedish Biedermeier drawers so special
There’s something about these antique chiffonier that makes you fall in love the instant you see them.
Maybe its the proportions? Chunky yet elegant.
Or the dazzling golden birch veneers in the rich honey finish that show such depth?
Perhaps its the little delicate drawers hidden behind the dropdown desk flap with the ormulu detailing and the tiny bone or ivory handles.
They are brilliant as storage and act as a desk too so you get 2 uses in one go – and they fit anywhere as they are never too wide or too tall.
Normally they stand against the wall which is why the back boards usually made of pine do not carry a veneer or a french polish finish – that would be an extravagant waste.
Why should I buy my Gustavian & Biedermeier drawers from Swedish Interior Design
Swedish Interior Design has been the no 1 seller for the most sort after antique Swedish Biedermeier & Gustavian chests of drawers, commodes and chiffoniers since 2005.
We have shipped Swedish Biedermeier & Gustavian chests of drawers, commodes and chiffoniers to happy customers in the UK USA EU and Asia from our carefully curated Swedish antique drawer collection.
Our beloved restoration team sensitively restores and repolishes our Swedish commodes and drawers to bring out their beauty and to make sure the drawers run nicely and they are easy to use. We specialise in the amazing patinas of the Gustavian drawers and rich deep finish on the Biedermeier commodes.
We have delievered expert explanations for many of the major antiques magazines and blogs or websites on these cherished antiques as well as the BBC.
Our curated Swedish antique collection has featured in most of the major international interior design magazines too.
We love Swedish antique drawers and with out understanding knowledge of Swedish culture and history of design, we can help you choose the right Swedish antique drawers for your home.
Where can you deliver Gustavian and Biedermeier drawers
We ship anywhere worldwide.
We have long standing relationships with several specialist antique shippers who will export crate and insure your antqoue purchase from us.
So we can ship to the USA, any destination around the UK , Ireland, Europe, Australia , the far East , China and beyond
Just send us your address and postcode or zip code and we will get you a shipping quote for your Swedish antique piece
Can I use an antique Swedish chest of drawers for everyday storage?
Yes — but with care.
These pieces were made for regular use, but because they’re antiques:
Use light-to-medium weight items
Avoid overloading drawers
Keep them in stable humidity and temperature conditions
With mindful use, they can be both practical and beautiful in a modern home
How should I care for an antique Swedish chest of drawers?
To help preserve its beauty:
Dust with a soft, dry cloth
Keep away from direct sunlight
Avoid placing very heavy objects on top
If the finish is delicate, consult a professional before using commercial cleaners
Proper care will help maintain its character and value.
What’s the difference between a chest, a commode, and a chiffonnier?
Chest of drawers: A classic piece with multiple stacked drawers.
Commode: Similar to a chest but often wider and may have a slightly different drawer layout or decorative top.
Chiffonier: Tall and narrow, sometimes with a drop-down desk section or hidden compartments.
All are storage furniture, but their shape and use vary slightly
Do you deliver antique drawers to the USA
Yes.
Our Shipping partner will handle the export crating and delievry fo ryou to your home and assist you with US customs clearance.
Its an easy process and we can ship our Swedish antique drawers and commodes anywhere in the USA upon request.
Shipping to the USA is generally by air freight and takes 4-6 weeks or thereabouts.
We can offer kerbside delivery or white glove ( where the shipper will unpack our item in home and take away the crating)
Just email us your address and zipcode for a shipping quote
What styles of Swedish antique chest of drawers exist
Depending on the period you prefer , you can choose chest of drawers and commodes from across Swedish history
1750-1790 – baroque and rococo
1770-1810 – Period Gustavian ( with later revivals in later 1800s and throughout the 1900s)
1810-1840 Empire/ early Biedermeier
1820 -1850 – Biedermeier ( or Karl Johan as it is known in Sweden) followed by later Biedermeier
1890-1910 – Arts and Crafts / National Romantic
Early 1900s – Art Nouveau (Jugend)
1915-1930 – SWedish Grace /Nordic classical
1920s-40s – Art Deco
1930-50 – Functionalism / Funkis
1945-1970 – mid century Scandinavian Modern
Each period has different finishes and decorative ideas but the frames are generally made from birch and pine so that doesnt change until the teak of the 1960s
Can you tell me about Gustavian & Biedermeier commodes and drawers
Here’s a short guide to Gustavian & Biedermeier drawers and commodes
Antique Swedish chests of drawers come in several recognised styles, most commonly Gustavian and Biedermeier.
Gustavian chests date mainly from the late 18th and early 19th centuries and are known for their elegant but restrained design, often with painted finishes in soft greys, creams, or muted blues.
Biedermeier chests are usually from the early to mid-19th century and feature warm birch or birch-veneered surfaces with a golden tone and a more refined, furniture-maker finish.
Both styles were designed to be practical household storage while still reflecting high craftsmanship and proportion.
Colour
Soft grey, stone, pale blue, cream, or off-white
Almost always painted, not varnished
Paint often shows natural wear
French polished show wood veneers for Biedermeier commodes and drawers
Shape
Clean, straight lines
Rectangular and well-proportioned
No heavy curves or bulges
Legs
Tapered legs (slimmer at the bottom)
Often fluted with vertical grooves or pyramid for Gustavian or straighter for Biedermeier
Decoration
Carved rosettes
Fine moulding around drawers
Sometimes laurel wreaths or beading
For Biedermeier its all about the bookmatched veneer wood grain in Flame or quilt golden birch, cherrywood, mahogany, walnut and similar
Drawers
3 drawers (very classic)
4 drawers (slightly taller)
Occasionally 2 over 2 (two small drawers above two larger ones)
Flat front or brake-front design
Sizing
Width: ~75–110 cm
Height: ~75–100 cm
Depth: ~40–60 cm
Some pieces, especially taller commodes or chiffoniers, can reach up to 140–150 cm tall
What are Gustavian & Biedermeier chest of drawers & commodes made of
Gustavian chests of drawers usually feature a birch or pine construction with hand cut dovetails.
Birch and pine were freely available as local woods in sweden
Carved details are usually glued or pinned in place and scooped details are hand cut.
Sometimes they feature brass detailing on the feet and escutcheons where there are keyholes
Biedermeier Drawers have hand cut and applied show wood veneers in a french polish finish
What makes Swedish Biedermeier drawers so special
There’s something about these antique chiffonier that makes you fall in love the instant you see them.
Maybe its the proportions? Chunky yet elegant.
Or the dazzling golden birch veneers in the rich honey finish that show such depth?
Perhaps its the little delicate drawers hidden behind the dropdown desk flap with the ormulu detailing and the tiny bone or ivory handles.
They are brilliant as storage and act as a desk too so you get 2 uses in one go – and they fit anywhere as they are never too wide or too tall.
Normally they stand against the wall which is why the back boards usually made of pine do not carry a veneer or a french polish finish – that would be an extravagant waste.
Why should I buy my Gustavian & Biedermeier drawers from Swedish Interior Design
Swedish Interior Design has been the no 1 seller for the most sort after antique Swedish Biedermeier & Gustavian chests of drawers, commodes and chiffoniers since 2005.
We have shipped Swedish Biedermeier & Gustavian chests of drawers, commodes and chiffoniers to happy customers in the UK USA EU and Asia from our carefully curated Swedish antique drawer collection.
Our beloved restoration team sensitively restores and repolishes our Swedish commodes and drawers to bring out their beauty and to make sure the drawers run nicely and they are easy to use. We specialise in the amazing patinas of the Gustavian drawers and rich deep finish on the Biedermeier commodes.
We have delievered expert explanations for many of the major antiques magazines and blogs or websites on these cherished antiques as well as the BBC.
Our curated Swedish antique collection has featured in most of the major international interior design magazines too.
We love Swedish antique drawers and with out understanding knowledge of Swedish culture and history of design, we can help you choose the right Swedish antique drawers for your home.
Where can you deliver Gustavian and Biedermeier drawers
We ship anywhere worldwide.
We have long standing relationships with several specialist antique shippers who will export crate and insure your antqoue purchase from us.
So we can ship to the USA, any destination around the UK , Ireland, Europe, Australia , the far East , China and beyond
Just send us your address and postcode or zip code and we will get you a shipping quote for your Swedish antique piece
Can I use an antique Swedish chest of drawers for everyday storage?
Yes — but with care.
These pieces were made for regular use, but because they’re antiques:
Use light-to-medium weight items
Avoid overloading drawers
Keep them in stable humidity and temperature conditions
With mindful use, they can be both practical and beautiful in a modern home
How should I care for an antique Swedish chest of drawers?
To help preserve its beauty:
Dust with a soft, dry cloth
Keep away from direct sunlight
Avoid placing very heavy objects on top
If the finish is delicate, consult a professional before using commercial cleaners
Proper care will help maintain its character and value.
What’s the difference between a chest, a commode, and a chiffonnier?
Chest of drawers: A classic piece with multiple stacked drawers.
Commode: Similar to a chest but often wider and may have a slightly different drawer layout or decorative top.
Chiffonier: Tall and narrow, sometimes with a drop-down desk section or hidden compartments.
All are storage furniture, but their shape and use vary slightly
Do you deliver antique drawers to the USA
Yes.
Our Shipping partner will handle the export crating and delievry fo ryou to your home and assist you with US customs clearance.
Its an easy process and we can ship our Swedish antique drawers and commodes anywhere in the USA upon request.
Shipping to the USA is generally by air freight and takes 4-6 weeks or thereabouts.
We can offer kerbside delivery or white glove ( where the shipper will unpack our item in home and take away the crating)
Just email us your address and zipcode for a shipping quote